Pokemon Scarlet and Violetmay very well be the games that break the mold the most in the entire franchise, and that’s because of their many revolutionary or game-changing features. Chief among them is the first-ever fully open-world setting in the series, which makes the entirety of Paldea fully explorable, which is a great change of pace from the linear progression in Gen 8 with short routes linking the main landmarks and cities on the map. This great level of innovation also comes with a cost, however, andPokemon Scarlet and Violetmay have sealed the fate of one longstanding featurein the form of the classic approach to Victory Road, which is now gone in Gen 9.
While it may seem that some things are simply lost in Gen 9, such as the tall grass encounters or the line-of-sight mechanic for trainer battles,Pokemon Scarlet and Violetdo more than make up for that in many ways. This is not to say that the games are devoid of issues, but The Pokemon Company did create a brilliant adventure for players to enjoy as they please, allowing everyone to create their own path in the Paldea region.Pokemon Scarlet and Violetbreak many traditions, with many of them being good changes, but they also prove to be a tad disappointing in how they handle Elite Four battles.
RELATED:Tyranitar’s Treatment in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Makes it a Strange Case
Why Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s Elite Four Break a Major Series-Long Tradition
Ever since Gen 1 games and for every new generation of games after that, Game Freak always crafted unique environments for Elite Four battles, be it the trainer’s room in a facility or some sort of decorated chamber. These spaces were typically adorned with various memorabilia and relics that act as a visual representation of the type associated with each specific trainer, such as Dragon-type Pokemon statues in Lance’s room inPokemon RedandBlueor tombstones in Agatha’s chamber from the same game.
This made every fight more distinct, allowing players to fully immerse themselves in the world. This trait is exceptionally highlighted inPokemon Scarlet and Violet’s free exploration setting, but it does fall short in how Gen 9 presents the Elite Four members and their encounters. In fact, all ofPokemon Scarlet and Violet’s Elite Four members hung out in the same room, with each defeated trainer calling in the next in line. Not only that, but the room where all four battles occur is just a generic Battle Tower-like area that doesn’t live up to the legacy of past games.
It’s worth noting that Gen 8 did something similar by having all the final battles in the tournament take place in the same stadium, but this doesn’t really count becausePokemon SwordandShielddidn’t feature Elite Four members, to begin with. Perhaps this makesPokemon Scarlet and Violet’s treatment of Elite Four battlesall the more disappointing, especially when one considers that even Gen 7 featured unique rooms for the Elite Four despite it being the first iteration of the trials in Alola. As such, giving each Elite Four in Gen 9 their own room would not only have made more sense, but it would have helped with continuity.
Still, it’s worth noting thatElite Four inPokemon Scarlet and Violetare more friendly and intimate with one another than they usually are inPokemongames, so it does make sense to a degree for them to all be in the same room. Nevertheless, this is yet another major tradition thatPokemon Scarlet and Violetbreak, and some players are not happy with it because it makes the four iconic battles feel less threatening. Ultimately, this is another reminder thatPokemonis all about evolution, and games evolve too from their predecessor, meaning that things can and will change with every new mainline entry in the series.
PokemonScarlet and Violetare available now on Nintendo Switch.
MORE:Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s Top 5 Pokemon Only Include One Gen 9 Critter
